Model-based ground station calibration for SeaWinds on QuikSCAT

Peter Yoho; David G. Long

doi:10.1117/12.453445

18 January 2002 Model-based ground station calibration for SeaWinds on QuikSCAT

Peter Yoho, David G. Long

Proceedings Volume 4483, Earth Observing Systems VI; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.453445
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

SeaWinds on QuikSCAT is the latest of NASA's wind-observing scatterometer missions. It was launched in June of 1999 with the goal of accurately measuring wind fields over all the oceans. It has also proven to be valuable in monitoring ice changes in polar regions. The value of such data necessitates an extremely accurate and precise calibration of both satellite performance and instrument measurements. In order to assure optimal performance a Calibration Ground Station has been constructed, which provides direct measurements of the instrument transmissions. Each time the spacecraft flies overhead, approximately twice a day, the CGS passively captures microwave pulses transmitted from QuikSCAT. The data is then used with various processing and analysis techniques to validate the system performance and calibration. As part of the calibration analysis, a software simulation model of the instrument system has been constructed. This model is able to simulate critical instrument systems and path loss characteristics and thus predict CGS receive data for any given satellite pass. By comparing model-based simulation data with actual recorded CGS data, calibration of parameters such as system timing, power, attitude, and Doppler compensation can be accurately determined. The analysis has been able to validate the Doppler/range compensation algorithm, instrument timing, and other key system operational parameters. The major contributions of the CGS-based analysis are demonstration of pointing accuracy and overall system stability of SeaWinds. By employing a variance minimization technique between simulated and actual data, the QuikSCAT platform is shown to be extremely stable.

Citation Download Citation

Peter Yoho and David G. Long "Model-based ground station calibration for SeaWinds on QuikSCAT", Proc. SPIE 4483, Earth Observing Systems VI, (18 January 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.453445

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available